Before Max Fossum leaves his dog in the car, he is sure to carefully assess the situation.

B次元官网网址淧ut yourself in the car and think B次元官网网址榟ow long could you withstand the heat with the windows rolled and no air conditioning?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� asked Fossum, a sergeant with the West Shore RCMP and a longtime dog owner.

If Fossum leaves his lab Chelsea in the car, he makes sure thereB次元官网网址檚 water in the vehicle, and that he parks in a shaded area. HeB次元官网网址檚 also never gone too long.

B次元官网网址淏ut remember (even if you parked in the shade) the sun can change,B次元官网网址� Fossum said. B次元官网网址淲e all love our dogs, (so) make sure your dog is safe.B次元官网网址�

And while most people are happy the warm weather finally looks like itB次元官网网址檚 going to stick around, Penny Stone is bracing for the worst.

B次元官网网址淚 hate hot days for that reason,B次元官网网址� said Stone, manager of the Victoria branch of the B.C. SPCA. B次元官网网址淎s soon as itB次元官网网址檚 a nice day, everybodyB次元官网网址檚 happy itB次元官网网址檚 a nice day except for the SPCA. I just canB次元官网网址檛 believe people leave their dogs (in vehicles) in this kind of weather.B次元官网网址�

Heading into the weekend, temperatures are forecast in the 20 C range. But inside vehicles it will quickly soar to more than 30 C, Stone said, even if parked in the shade with the windows cracked open.

Within five to 10 minutes of being left in a hot vehicle, dogs can become dehydrated, suffer heat stroke and even die, she said, adding it doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to be hot outside for the temperatures inside to skyrocket.

B次元官网网址淚f your dog doesnB次元官网网址檛 die, it could retain permanent brain damage,B次元官网网址� she cautioned. B次元官网网址淭hink of sitting in your car in a fur coat in the sun.B次元官网网址�

Some pet owners donB次元官网网址檛 realize their dogs are only able to sweat by panting and through the pads on their feet, limiting their ability to cool down.

B次元官网网址�(Heat stroke) happens so fast,B次元官网网址� Stone said. B次元官网网址淭he problem is people think that, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 just going to run in and get a loaf of bread.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Staff with Victoria Animal Control Services, which operates in Victoria, Esquimalt and Oak Bay, responded to two dogs left in the enclosed bed of a pickup truck last month.

B次元官网网址淭hey were sweltering. They were in very poor shape,B次元官网网址� said Ian Fraser, the companyB次元官网网址檚 senior animal control officer.

The cab was finally opened and the owner issued a $300 fine for failing to provide adequate ventilation and water to his pets, which were able to recover.

B次元官网网址淭he animals had defecated inside the back of the truck, an obvious sign of stress,B次元官网网址� said Fraser, who wouldnB次元官网网址檛 say where the truck was parked.

With the onset of summer, he expects his team will become even busier.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com

- With files from Charla Huber and Erin McCracken